Knowledge Agora

Title	Applying a Sustainable Development Lens to Global Biomass Potentials
ID_Doc	72815
Authors	Beuchelt, TD; Nassl, M
Title	Applying a Sustainable Development Lens to Global Biomass Potentials
Year	2019
Published	Sustainability, 11, 18
Abstract	The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, guide societies to achieve a better and more sustainable future. Depleting fossil fuels and climate change will strongly increase the demand for biomass, as governments shift towards bioeconomies. Though research has estimated future biomass availability for bioenergetic uses, the implications for sustainable development have hardly been discussed; e.g., how far the estimates account for food security, sustainability and the satisfaction of basic human needs, and what this implies for intragenerational equity. This research addresses the gap through a systematic literature review and our own modeling. It shows that the biomass models insufficiently account for food security; e.g., by modeling future food consumption below current levels. The available biomass, if fairly distributed, can globally replace fossil fuels required for future material needs but hardly any additional energy needs. To satisfy basic human needs, the material use of biomass should, therefore, be prioritized over bioenergy. The different possibilities for biomass allocation and distribution need to be analyzed for their potential negative implications, especially for the poorer regions of the world. Research, society, business and politicians have to address those to ensure the 'leave no one behind' commitment of the SDGs.
PDF	https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/18/5078/pdf?version=1568717219

Similar Articles

ID	Score	Article
64925		Faaij, APC Repairing What Policy Is Missing Out on: A Constructive View on Prospects and Preconditions for Sustainable Biobased Economy Options to Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change(2022)Energies, 15.0, 16
32853		Pandey, P; Valkenburg, G; Mamidipudi, A; Bijker, WE All We Want, Is to Get Rid of the Straw: How Biofuel Policies Need to Be Multiple(2021)East Asian Science Technology And Society-An International Journal, 15.0, 1
18731		Perisic, M; Barcelo, E; Dimic-Misic, K; Imani, M; Brkic, VS The Role of Bioeconomy in the Future Energy Scenario: A State-of-the-Art Review(2022)Sustainability, 14.0, 1
69057		Choi, HS; Grethe, H; Entenmann, SK; Wiesmeth, M; Blesl, M; Wagner, M Potential trade-offs of employing perennial biomass crops for the bioeconomy in the EU by 2050: Impacts on agricultural markets in the EU and the world(2019)Global Change Biology Bioenergy, 11, 3
63736		Vitunskiene, V; Aleksandraviciene, A; Ramanauske, N Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Biomass Self-Sufficiency in the European Union(2022)Sustainability, 14, 3
8051		Mignogna, D; Szabó, M; Ceci, P; Avino, P Biomass Energy and Biofuels: Perspective, Potentials, and Challenges in the Energy Transition(2024)Sustainability, 16, 16
71480		Simon, S; Wiegmann, K Modelling sustainable bioenergy potentials from agriculture for Germany and Eastern European countries(2009)Biomass & Bioenergy, 33.0, 4
18416		Barth, H; Ulvenblad, P; Ulvenblad, PO; Esmaeilzadeh, A; Rojas, HB Biomass - a Resource for Sustainability? A Literature Review of Business Models(2022)
19991		Akter, MM; Surovy, IZ; Sultana, N; Faruk, MO; Gilroyed, BH; Tijing, L; Arman; Didar-ul-Alam, M; Shon, HK; Nam, SY; Kabir, MM Techno-economics and environmental sustainability of agricultural biomass-based energy potential(2024)
8902		Clifton-Brown, J; Hastings, A; von Cossel, M; Murphy-Bokern, D; McCalmont, J; Whittaker, J; Alexopoulou, E; Amaducci, S; Andronic, L; Ashman, C; Awty-Carroll, D; Bhatia, R; Breuer, L; Cosentino, S; Cracroft-Eley, W; Donnison, I; Elbersen, B; Ferrarini, A; Ford, J; Greef, J; Ingram, J; Lewandowski, I; Magenau, E; Mos, M; Petrick, M; Pogrzeba, M; Robson, P; Rowe, RL; Sandu, A; Schwarz, KU; Scordia, D; Scurlock, J; Shepherd, A; Thornton, J; Trindade, LM; Vetter, S; Wagner, M; Wu, PC; Yamada, T; Kiesel, A Perennial biomass cropping and use: Shaping the policy ecosystem in European countries(2023)Global Change Biology Bioenergy, 15.0, 5